Modular terminal connector block



D. EPPLER MODULAR TERMINAL CONNECTOR B LOCK Dec. 15; 1970 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Au 16, 1967 FIG,

ATTORNEY Dec. 15; 1970 D. EPPLER 3,548,366

MODULAR TERMINAL CONNECTOR BLOCK Filed Au 16, 1967 4'Sheets-Sheet z F l G. 5

I L AI 13 INVENTOR D. E PPLER BY ATTORNEY Dec. 15, 19701 D. EPPLER 3,543,355

- "MODULAR TERMINAL CONNECTOR BLOCK Filed Aug. 15, 1967' 4 Sheets-Sheet. 3

F I G. 6

INVENTOR D. E PPLER BY ATTORNEY FiledAug. 16, l967 Dec. 15, 1970 o. EPPLER 3,548,366

MODULAR TERMINAL CONNECTOR BLOCK 4.$heets-Sheer.. 4

7 7 lNVEN TOR 34 I7 35 D. E PP L ER BY ATTORNEY United States Patent 7 3,548,366 MODULAR TERMINAL CONNECTOR BLOCK Daniel Eppler, Nutley, N.J., assignor to The Thomas & Betts Co., Inc. Filed Aug. 16, 1967, Ser. No. 660,955 Int. Cl. H01r 9/06 US. Cl. 339-198 9 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A modular terminal block for compact, accurate connection of terminals in plural numbers, adaptable for assembly in multiple block units to the number desired for particular applications, the block members formed for interfitting on assembly, each block having ribs formed to be engaged by pins to which terminals may be readily secured.

This invention relates to a modular connector block for terminals to provide a highly versatile structure which may be used in multiples of one or more units to the desired number for the particular application required, with equal efficacy, and which may be readily assembled and disassembled, and interchanged as desired. The invention is especially adapted for high density applications where it is desired to connect a large number of wires, enabling such connection to be made effectively and accurately without the use of special connection means or tools. Pursuant to the invention the wire to be connected may be brought up from top or bottom or a side of the module and effectively captured in a slot in the pin or otherwise secured to the pin. Modules embodying the invention may have brackets secured thereto for mounting on boards, rails, or other supporting surfaces as desired. The device occupies a minimum of space, enables a greater terminal concentration to be effectuated than in devices of the prior art, and makes it practical to space terminals closely Without interfering with the effectiveness or reliability of the connections, each terminal being adapted to be connected and disconnected in a simple fashion, independently of the others, enabling a high concentration to be made of the terminal connections in a minimum of space. Means are provided for readily securing the pins to the connector block members to form essentially a unitary assembly therewith. The pins are provided with slots in order that the connection be made on the block and then the wire snapped into the pins without putting the wires through closed guides as in prior devices. The device is adapted to be manufactured in many combinations, as with assembly kits which are easy to assemble in the field without special tools. The pins are held rigidly for easy and accurate wiring and precise automatic spacing and alignment are provided. The device is provided with a marking strip which eliminates the need for left and right hand blocks; change in the strip direction indicates the side required-right or left.

In the drawings, wherein similar reference characters indicate like parts:

FIG. 1 is an end elevational, partly fragmentary view of an assembly of modular connector blocks embodying the invention, with a terminal view shown positioned on one of the pin members,

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view, partly fragmentary, taken on line 22 of FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 is a top plan view thereof, taken at line 3-3 of FIG. 2,

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary longitudinal perspective view of a modular terminal connector block embodying the invention, with a connector pin shown fragmentarily,

3,548,366 Patented Dec. 15, 1970 ICC FIG. 5 is a fragmentary vertical elevational view, taken at line 5-5 of FIG. 4,

FIG. 6 is an enlarged, end elevational view of a modular connector block embodying the invention,

FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view, taken at line 7-7 of FIG. 6,

FIG. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view, taken at line 8-8 of FIG. 6,

FIG. 9 is an end elevational view of a modular connector block embodying the invention, with terminal connection pins shown secured thereto pursuant to the invention,

FIG. 10 is an enlarged, partly fragmentary, sectional View of one form of terminal connection pin, and

FIGS. 11 and 12 are similar views of other forms of pins, which may be used in carrying out the invention.

The connector block 10 of the invention (FIGS. 1, 4, 6, 7 and 8) comprises an elongated member which may be molded or otherwise formed, preferably of dielectric material, to define on a face thereof, a plurality of ribs 11 and 12 extending therefrom in spaced relation and defining therebetween a keyway 13 (FIGS. 4, 7 and 8) for reception of pin 14 to which wire terminals 15 (FIGS. 1 and 2) may be secured, as by bringing said wire terminals up from the top or bottom or side of the connector block, the wire being effectively captured in a preferably slanted slot 16 in the pin 15. Pin 14 is preferably formed with a medial tongue 17 (FIG. 4) and preferably of metal or other. conductive material. The rear edge 18 of the pin (FIG. 5) may be formed angularly or otherwise, to cut into block ribs 11 and 12 when (FIG. 4) pin 14 is positioned intermediate pairs 11, 12, 11a, 12a of ribs, and moved downward to the dotted line (14a) position (FIG. 5). To enhance the cutting, locking action described, ribs 11 and 12 are preferably provided with end protuberances 19, 20, and with nest portions 21, 22 adjacent the said ends of ribs. The blades may further be provided with undercut portions 23, 24 adjacent and intermediate the nest portions and the rib ends (FIG. 4) so that, on positioning the pin from the full line to dotted line position (FIG. 5) intermediate the ribs, the edge 18 of the pin will cut protuberances 19, 20, the cuttings falling into the undercut portions 23, 24, the pin then resting on the nest portions 21 22 of block 10.

The blocks 10 may be made in quantities appropriate for assembly (FIGS. 2 and 3) for the requirements of the particular job at hand. On such assembly of the blocks,

. ribs 11, 12, 11a, 12a (etc.) are received in an axial block recess 25 (FIG. 4) The blocks may be provided with apertures 26, 27 (FIG. 6) to receive suitable fasteners such as bolts 28, 29 (FIGS. 1, 2) passing through apertures in the block; nut or other complementary members may then complete the assembly.

The pin member 14 is applied as required by positioning it intermediate the ribs (FIG. 4) with the tongue portion 17 thereof cutting the protuberances 30, 31 on said ribs extending inwardly toward each other (FIG. 5) the pin tongue 17 being moved to rest on the inwardly extending ledge portions 32, 33 (FIGS. 4 and 8) and the body portion of the pin being moved to the dotted line (14a, FIG. 5) position, the rear edge 18 of the pin cutting protuberances 19, 20 of ribs 11 and 12, said cuttings being received in the undercut portions 23, 24 (FIGS. 4 and 5). The pins 14 are preferably E shaped, as above described, defining in addition to the center tongue 17, the correspondingly extending outer fingers 34, 35, which, on positioning the pin as above described, straddle the sides 56, 57 of the block (FIG. 4).

The above described pin slots 16 receive the ends of the wires 15, which may readily be secured to the pins in a simple fashion (FIG. 1) without the use of special tools. Slots 16 preferably open upwardly inwardly, providing a 3 slanting access for ease of insertion and preventing accidental displacement. The pins may be made in a variety of contours, those shown in the drawings being exemplary only.

Block is preferably provided with bosses 36 (FIG. 6) extending from one face thereof for registration with complementary recesses formed at the other face of the next block so that, on assembly of the blocks (FIG. 2) the registered bosses and recesses opposite adjacent blocks will register and align the blocks. The blocks are further provided with laterally extending arms 37, 38 (FIG. 1) defining the base portion thereof. Said arms preferably terminate in angularly disposed lugs 39, 40 adjacent lugs defining therebetween slots (FIG. 2) which facilitate positioning and holding a Wire therein and application of the wire to the pin (FIGS. 1 and 2) essen tially interlocking the wire and preventing accidental displacement. The upper edges of the pins 14 (FIGS. 10-- 12) in addition to or apart from the slots 16 above dc scribed, may have other suitable means for interengagement with conductors or fasteners or the like, such as, for example, by providing the pins with narrow bar ends 42, 43 (FIGS. 10 and 11, 12) or other end forms suited to the particular application.

The block 10 may be provided with means for securing marker strips 44 thereto, said marker strips to bear indicia 45, 46 (FIG. 3) and fabricated or cut to the size of the assembly or torn to the desired length. The strips 45, 46 may be applied to the blocks 10 by any suitable means as by positioning their marginal ends in slots 47, 48 (FIG. 6) in blocks 10.

The device of the invention may be mounted on rails or other surfaces as by brackets 49 (FIGS. 1 and 2) which may be secured to the blocks by the assembly bolts 29. Said brackets may have vertically spaced apertures 50 to provide selectivity of spacing or positioning of the blocks 10 relative to the supporting surface. The brackets 49 may be further provided with angularly disposed portions 51 (FIG. 1) for angular mounting. The pins 14 may be provided with apertures 52, 53 (FIG. 10) in alignment on assembly of the parts, to receive buss wires 54 (FIG. 3).

Bus bars can be run in the elongated member to selectively couple pins 14 thereto. The bus bar can run above the pins 14 in keyway 13 and are then hidden when two elongated members are assembled. Alternatively, or in addition to these bus bars, other bus bars can be placed in the axial block recesses to selectively couple pins. By use of the bus bars, selected pins 14 may be coupled to a common wire terminal 15 obviating the necessity for wiring individual pins 14 to the same wire terminal 15.

I claim:

1. A modular connector block for terminals comprising an elongated planar block member,

ribs on said block member extending therefrom in spaced relation and defining therebetween a keyway,

protuberances on said ribs,

a pin for connection of terminals therewith, proportioned for positioning intermediate and in interengagement with said ribs, and for extension therebeyond and beyond said block member for facility of connection of terminals therewith,

said pins being provided with cutting edges for cutting into said protuberances on so interengaging said pin with said ribs, thereby locking said pin on said block member.

2. In a modular terminal connector block as set forth in claim 1, said protuberances on said ribs being pointed for engagement of said pin therewith on said interengagement of said pin with said ribs, to thereby frictionally dispose said pin on said block member.

3. A modular connector block for terminals comprising an elongated planar block member,

ribs on said block member extending therefrom in spaced relation and defining therebetween a keyway, and

a pin for connection of terminals therewith, proportioned for positioning intermediate and in interengagement with the ribs, and for extention therebeyond and beyond the block member for facility of connection of terminals therewith.

protuberances formed on one pair of ribs and directed toward the other pair of ribs, for engagement of the pin therewith, on positioning the pin intermediate the protuberances.

4. In a modular terminal connector block as set forth in claim 1, said ribs having inner facing surfaces and protuberances formed on said facing surfaces of said ribs to be engaged by said pin on so positioning said pin between said ribs.

5. A modular connector block for terminals comprising an elongated planar block member,

ribs on said block member extending therefrom in spaced relation and defining therebetween a keyy,

said ribs being formed in rib pairs each ones of the respective rib pairs disposed in alignment across the block member width and equidistantly along the length of said block member,

nest portions formed axially on said block member intermediate said pairs of ribs for positioning pins thereon,

undercut portions formed adjacent said nest portions to receive the rib cuttings when a pin interengages said ribs,

a pin for connection of terminals therewith, proportioned for positioning intermediate and in interengagement with said ribs, and for extension therebeyond and beyond said block member for facility of connection of terminals therewith,

and cutting edges on said pin for cutting engagement with said ribs to thereby couple said pin to said block member on so positioning said pin between said ribs.

6. A modular connector block for terminals comprising an elongated planar block member,

ribs on said block member extending therefrom in spaced relation and defining therebetween a keyway, and

a pin for connection of terminals therewith, proportioned for positioning intermediate and in interengagement with said ribs, and for extension therebeyond and beyond said block member for facility of connection of terminals therewith,

protuberances on said ribs,

said pins being provided with cutting edges for cutting into said protuberances,

and portions formed on said block member adjacent said protuberances to receive said protuberance cuttings when said pin so cuts into said ribs.

7. In a modular terminal connector block as set forth in claim 6, said portions so formed on said block member adjacent said protuberances being undercut portions.

8. In a modular terminal connector block as set forth in claim 6, said protuberances extending partially into said undercut portions.

9. A modular connector block for terminals comprising an elongated planar block member,

ribs on said block member extending therefrom in spaced relation and defining therebetween a keyway,

a pin for connection of terminals therewith, proportioned for positioning intermediate and in interengagement with said ribs, and for extension therebeyond and beyond said block member for facility of connection of terminals therewith,

wire terminal guide means on said block member for receiving and retaining a wire terminal to be coupled to said pin,

said wire guide means comprising a lug secured to and angularly disposed on said block member for receivribs.

ing said wire terminal between lugs of adjacent block members, and cutting edges on said pin for cutting engagement with said ribs to thereby couple said pin to said block member on so positioning said pin between said References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Graybill et a1. 317112 Klay 339220X Midgley 339198X Currie et al. 339221X Fritts s 339198 6 5/1952 Roger 339221X 3/1955 Arthur et a1. 339198 6/1965 Hawkes, Jr. 339210X 1/ 1968 Hardesty et a1. 339- 221 4/1968 Powell et a1. 339198 FOREIGN PATENTS 4/ 1935 Germany 339220 10/1952 Netherlands 339198 US. Cl. X.R. 

